Hot water radiator



April 9, 1940. A. A. HAAS ao'r vwl-sn mmn'roa Filed uw. 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatontedApnSJw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

no'r wam muros alben a nu., ma. o.. v mandan umher 1s, uns, sam N. 245,963

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in hot water radiators or heating structures and pertains particularly to a novel heating and air circulating device.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved hot water heater or radiator wherein a novel means is provided for heating water in the radiator unit and circulating the water through the same and also circu- W lating air through the unit in such a manner as to effectively remove the heat units from the circulating water for discharge into the surrounding atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is to provide a u heater wherein a novel means is employed for raising the temperature of the heat carrying medium and there is alsoprovided a novel means associated with the receptacle in which the heat carrying medium is conned, which' operates as n a safety to permit the discharge of the heated medium from the receptacle in the event that the temperature of such medium is raised to a point where an unsafe pressure `may be developed in the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hot water radiator which has connected therewith as a unitary part thereof, an electric heating unit for raising the temperature of the water in the radiator and an electrical control 80 means for controlling the ilow of current to said heating unit in accordance with the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the radiator,

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hot water radiator which is designed 85 to form a compact structure which may be readily moved about, thus making it possible to employ the structure in several diIferent rooms or compartments.

A still further object ot the invention is to prod vide in a hot water heating radiator, a novel water receptacle structure and means associated therewith for circulating air through the structure so that the maximum heating emciency of the radiator may be obtained.

l The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of this specication, with the'understanding, however, that the invention is 50 not to be confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modiiications mark no material departure from the salient features of theinvention as expressed in II the appended claims.

(CL S19-39) In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in vertical longitudinal section and partly in elevation of the structure embodying the present invention, the same being viewed from the rear.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 oi Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a'vertical section on the line 4 4 10 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram for the electrical units associated with the radiator.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the thermostat control unit.

Referring now,more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I generally designates the body proper of the radiator structure. This body I forms a water receptacle and is o! generally rectangular contour and has a central open portion 2. The body I is hollow so that there are formed the upper and lower chambers 3 and l, respectively, Kvand the connecting vertical chambers 5 which are iilled with water. The inner walls of the rectangular receptacle are connected by the at tubes 6 which open through the "walls at their two ends and which are in the crossed relation shown so that they form a central honey-comb structure through which air may pass from one side of the radiator to the other. As shown in Fig. 1, these flat tubes have their ends connected by the nipples 1 with the walls of the chamber between which the tubes are disposed, the nipples extending through the walls and into the chambers so that water may freely pass from any one ofthe chambers into the tubes or pass out of any of the tubes into any of the chambers.

At the top of the body there is formed the upwardly extending nipple Ii which is closed by the 4o threaded plug 9. This nipple is provided for hand lling the receptacle. One vertical side wall of the receptacle is provided with a sight opening or window II! which is covered by a glass panel II. This covered window is adjacent the top of the receptacle and thus serves as a convenient means for determining when the water in the receptacle is at an undesirably low point.

Within the lower chamber I the bottom wail I2 thereof has secured thereto a baille I3 which 50 covers the inlet end of a water supply pipe I4. This pipe is provided with a suitable valve I5 by whichthe flow of water into the receptacle is controlled. By this means the heater structuremay be connected with a regular house water system and the nipple 3 need not be used for nlling the heater.

Adjacent the top of the structure and preferably upon the side thereof remote from the water supply pipe I4, there is connected a nipple I3 which opens into the upper water chamber and which is connected with the casing oi a relief valve which is indicated generally by the numeral I1, the casing being designated I3 and being divided, as shown in detail in Fig. 4, into upper and lower portions. 'I'he upper portion of the casing I8 has the reduced vertical extension I3 in the upper end of which is threaded a plug 20. This plug and the open upper end portion I3 of the casing is covered by a cap 2|.

Secured between the two sections of the casing I8 is a exible diaphragm 22 which carries a valve pin 23 which is pointed at its lower end, as indicated at 24 and is normally pressed into the outlet nipple 25 of the casing by the spring 26 which is upon the opposite side of the diaphragm 22 and exerts its expansive pressure against the fixed plug 20 and the yieldable diaphragm. The outlet 25 of the valve casing is connected with the overflow discharge pipe 21.

At one end of the chamber 4 the outer side wall is provided with a bossed opening 28 in which is threadably secured the head 29 of an electric resistance heating unit 30. This heating unit extends longitudinally through the lower chamber 4 of the heating device, as shown in Fig. l, and when energized heats the water contents of the receptacle. The operation of this heating unit is controlled by a suitable thermostatic unit which is indicated generally by the numeral 3| and which is of a type wherein the temperature at which it cuts in or out may be regulated. As shown in Fig. 6, the face of the unit is provided with a suitable dial and pointer 32 for regulating the responsive temperature for the thermostat. In view of the fact that this thermostat in itself forms no part of the present invention and may be of any standard make, no detailed illustration of the same has been made. As shown in Fig. 5,

the thermostat 3I is in circuit with the heater unit 30 and suitable means is provided in the electric circuit in which these units are coupled, for manually opening and closing the circuit, such means being in the form of a switch of suitable design, indicated at 33.

The rear side of the water receptacle body I is suitably reinforced at the top and bottom, as indicated at 34, for the attachment thereto of a suitable frame by means of bolts 33. These bolts are tapped into the reinforced body portions 34 of the receptacle so as to secure this frame 35 across the back thereof and over the honey-combed central area 2, as shown in Fig. 2. The frame structure 35 is designed for the support of an electric motor 31, the shaft 33 of which passes through a suitable opening in the supporting structure and carries upon its inner end the fan 39. The inner side of the frame structure 35 is covered with suitable insulation such as sheet asbestos or any other suitable insulation material, as indicated at 43. This insulation protects the motor from the heat of the radiator.

As shown in Fig. 5, the motor 31 is electrically connected across the circuit in which the heater and thermostat are connected and thus it will be seen that the motor is not controlled by the thermostat but can only be started or stopped by closing or opening the switch 33.

The water receptacle body I is disposed within a suitable cabinet or console which is generally designated 4I. This cabinet or console may be made o! any suitable material and has the top and bottom walls 42 and 43, the side walls 44 and front wall 4l. The back may be opened or closed as desired. 'I'he front and side walls of the console are provided with openings covered by screens or grill-work 43 while the top and bottom walls may be provided with ventilation openings 41. The console is here shown as being supported upon an underlying oor 43 by feet or legs 43, but obviously any suitable means may be employed for supporting the console and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to this specific construction nor to the use of the feet 50, which are shown upon the bottom of the water heater for maintaining the receptacle in suitable spaced relation with the bottom wall 43 of the console.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that in putting the radiator structure into use, the same is filled by opening the valve I5 to permit the water to flow into the lower chamber 4 and into the vertical and top chambers. After the water has reached the top oi' the upper chamber 3, the valve may be closed and ii it is desired to put the radiator into operation immediately, the switch 33 may then be closed so as to energize the heating unit 30. 'I'he thermostat 3| should. be previously set to the temperature desired for the room in which the heater is located. Upon the closing of the switch, the motor 31 will start to operate and will continue in operation so long as the switch is closed even though the heating unit may be cut off by the thermostat. If the pressure within the receptacle becomes greater p than is safe, this will be transmitted into the safety valve casing I3 and effect the upward flexing of the diaphragm 22 against the tension of the spring 23, thus opening the drain pipe 21 and permitting the excess pressure to escape.

In addition to providing the manual circuit controller 33 whereby the operation oi' both the fan motor and the heater may be started or stopped as desired, it is desired to incorporate in circuit with the motor a rheostat such as is indicated at 5I, by means of which the speed of the motor may be regulated or the operation of the motor may be completely shut of! without ailecting the operation of the heater 30, when the switch 33 is closed. This rheostat is illustrated as having three speed positions and is also constructed so that the switch blade can be completely disconnected with the resistance units and thus completely shut oiT the operation of the motor, without interrupting the operation of the heater, when desired.

While the console has been illustrated with supporting feet or legs, it is to be understood that these may be eliminated if desired, and the console structure mounted in any other suitable manner as, for example, it may be hung upon the wall or from the ceiling as may be found most desirable.

While the present device is intended primarily for use as a heating unit, it may also be used in the summer time as a cooling unit, the cooling action being accomplished by supplying the device from a city water line or other source of supply through the connection provided at I4 and then releasing the tension of spring 26 of the safety relief valve I1 so as to allow a small flow of water through the receptacle and out through the drain 21. The thermostat will also be adjusted by turning it back to a position where it will not close the heater unit circuit. By then 76 operatingthecirculationfanatthedesiredspeed. thecoolwateriiowingthrmmhthetubes land theaircirculatedbetweenthetubesbythefan, will result in the lowering of the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.

Whatisclaimed is:

LA heating radiator of thecharacter described, comprising a chambered body designed bodybelngformedtoprovideacentralopen area, a plurality of duid conducting tubes disposed across said open area, the tubes being in intersecting relation and having their ends openingthroughwallsofthestruetureintothe fluid chambers thereof. an electric ristance heater disposedinoneotsaidfiuid chamberacontrol means for said heater whereby the operation of thesamewillbegovernedbyaheat responsive device. said heat responsive device being in circuit connection'with said heater and operating inresponsetovariationsintheasurrounding the radiator, and means for effecting a circulation of air across said tubes.

2.A heating radiator of the characterdescribed. comprising a water receptacle having top and bottom horisontally extending water chambers and vertically extending side water chambers connecting the top and bottom chamberswherebyacentral openareaisdeiinedby the chambers. a plurality of relatively wide and fiat water conducting tubes extending across said area and having their ends opening through the walls of and into all of said chambers whereby water is carried along crossed paths between the chambers and across said area, means for heating the water within the chambers, means for filling the chambers. an outlet for the chambers. andmeansdisposedatonesideoftheradiatcr for effecting a forced circulation of air through said area and across said tubes.

3.A heating radiator of thecharacter described. comprising a water receptacle formed to provide upper and lower horlaontal water chambers and vertical side water chambers connecting the upper and lower chambers, the said chambers together defining a rectangle having a central open area, a plurality of water conducting tubes extending through said area, certain 6 ofsaidtubesbeinginagroupdisposedto ex- L tendatanangleto agroupmakinguptheremaining tubes and each of said chambers having tubes of both groups opening thereinto, a valve controlled water supply pipe opening into lo the lower one oi' the chambers, a pressure relief valve controlled outlet connected with the upper one of the chambers, an electrical resistance heating unit disposed in the lower one of the chambers for heating the contents of the ralo diator, a supporting unit secured to one side of the radiator and extending over the said ycen` tral area, an electric motor mounted upon said supporting unit and having a shaft extending therethrough toward said area, a fan carried 20 upon said motor shaft upon the side of the supporting unit opposite from the motor. and insulation material disposed over the inner side of said supporting unit, said fan when operating creating a forced circulation of air through said 25 area and across said tubes.

4. A heating radiator oi.' the character described, comprising a water receptacle which is formed to provide upper and lower horizontal water chambers and vertical side water cham- 30 bers connecting the upper and lower chambers, the said chambers together outlining a central open area, a plurality of flat water tubes extending diagonally in two directions across said area,

said tubes having a width equaling the width of said area, said tubes being in intersecting relation and each opening at its two ends into contiguous water chambers. means for introducing water into the receptacle, an outlet for the receptacle. means for heating the contents of 9 the receptacle. and means for circulating air `through said area and across said tubes.

ALBERT A. HAAB'. 

